Sunday, February 21, 2010

This Weekend we had to attend two birthday parties. So planned not to have a heavy lunch, so that we can actually enjoy the dinner well :). We can manage with some Fruit and Veggie Salad, But aha what to do for my son????? So, these times this Veggie Dal helps me a lot. Dal with lot of Veggies Cooked together, Makes a Great Meal with rice and a dollop of ghee, especially for Kids and No Guilty Feeling Mommy!!!!!!

Wash and Chop All the veggies, Mix with dal. Add Green Chillie, Turmeric, sambar powder, hing and salt. Add Water accordingly. I normally add 2 cups (1 cup for the dal and another 1 for the veggies). Pressure Cook for 4-5 whistles.

Method
Grind All ingredients, except onion Without adding water. No water should be added, since it will make the batter too watery. Add the sliced onions to the batter and mix well. Deep fry as pakodas.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

This Week i tried baking this Almond-Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies from Muskan Sadhana's A2ZVegetarian Cusine. The Cookies came out very well. I too had some, saying it doesnt have maida, so its ok.

The Original recipe has used Agave Nectar, but since i didnt have it i tried it using Soft Brown Sugar (1/4 cup + 1 tbsp) i think that 1tbsp has become a bit extra, will reduce while making it next time. Also i added a fistful of cashewnuts along with Almonds while grinding it to powder.

The First Batch of cookies took 17 minutes to bake, While making the second batch, the dough has gone a bit dry so, i added 2 tbsp of milk and increased the baking time by 1 minute extra. May be if i have used agave nectar, this wudnt be necessary.

My Little Angel Narasimhan, he is going to be 4 this june. Day before yesterday night dinner, i made Rasam (pepper water) saadam. He normally has the habit of peeping into the rice bowl to check what rice i going give him, when he saw rasam saadam in his bowl, thats it he started to cry out loud and say "No Amma, no Rasam saadam". I was bit surprised to see him behave this way, coz he never used to demand anything like this. I said i made only rasam da, so you pls have it today.

A Stubborn "NO" came the answer. Next, i asked him what else do you want? mmmm Muruganka Sambar (Drumstick sambar),. Oh ho, where will I go now and get Sambar, Its already his dinner time. I tried to pacify him saying i will make him tomorrow. No, He wasnt ready to accept it.

Poor Mommy!!!! Suddenly came the thought of Grand Sweets Vethakozhambu thokku. Made Rice with that thokku added a big spoon of Ghee. All this time my kiddo was standing behind me and checking whether i m making new rice or doing some adjustments to Rasam Saadam. When he a saw a new bowl with his Sambar(Thokku) saadam he was happy and had his dinner.

When i told my hubby what happened, he started smiling, that proud smile of a Father!!!! My Son is growing, so better dont do all the samalifications what you do with me, was the answer.

I too was feeling a bit proud and at the same time konjam sad, seeing my son is growing, soon he will start to have his own set of everything, Mommy will become a bit lonely.. Suddenly his first day of school came to my mind, i was jus thinking he is going to throw a big cry while getting into his school bus and i was rehearsing how to handle that, But @ the end, he waved me Bye with a Big smile on his face and i was the one Crying cing my son going to school. :( . I think this happens with every Mom. Kids Grow up very very fast!!! But we as parents remain the same.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Diet is Going good. I m able to keep my Temptations @ bay. For the past one week, i m having this Vegetable Salad before my Lunch. I Will not lie that it is heavenly ,But it doesnt taste that bad, yeah is a Raw vegetable salad, it is healthy!!!! It gives u a feeling of fullness and the taste depends on the dressing you add to it. This is how i do it

Monday, February 15, 2010

While coming back from India in January bought Tarla Dalal's Non-Fried Snacks Cookbook. It had a recipe of Baked Kachodi, tried it one day, but i couldnt get it Well Cooked. I Checked with Priya too, she gave me some tips on that, but i havent tried it yet. I was so happy to see the same kachodi recipe fo this month's ICC. Only Difference this is Fried, no need to say, the Love we have for Fried Foodzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!

Thanks a ton to Medhaa and Srivalli for choosing this as January month Challenge. Enjoyed making them, they Vanished jus like that from the plate. I choose to make Moong Dal and Green Peas Filling.

Resting Time for the Dough is app 1/2 hr - 1 hr
Frying time for the Kachoris - 20 mins for each batch app.
Soaking Time for the Filling is app. 1 hr
Cooking Time for the Filling is app 15 mins
Yields - 15

Mix the flour and salt, Add the oil/ghee and mix till you get a bread crumbs texture.Slowly add water and make a soft dough. Knead well for about 8 minutes.Cover and keep aside to rest for atleast half hour.

Special Tips / Notes for the dough:

Keep the dough covered at all times, if not it will dry up and not puff up when frying. If the dough is made right wet cloth can be used if not just a towel.

The dough could spring back for many reasons:
Dough is too cold (If wet cloth is used)
Dough is not soft enough.
Not kneaded for enough time.
Oil is less.
Not rested enough.

Wask and Soak dal in water for atleast 1 hour. You can go upto 4 hours not more. Drain the water well. Grind the dal to a coarsely. (Will resemble Idli Rawa). Heat oil in a pan. Add the hing and cumin seeds. Once the seeds splutter add the curry leaves. Add the dal. Lower the heat and keep stirring for 5 minutes till the dal stops sticking to the pan. Cook for another 10 minutes on low till the dal turns slightly brown. Add all the masalas. Cook for few minutes till the aroma of the spices hit you. Add Salt. Remove from heat and keep aside to cool.

Corarsely grind the green peas,green chillies and ginger in a blender without using any water. Keep aside. Heat the oil in a pan,add the nigella seeds,fennel seeds,bay leaves and ground green pea mixture and saute over a very slow flame for 8 to 10 minutes. Add the chilli powder,garam masala,coriander and salt and saute for 2 more minutes. Remove the bay leavess and discard. Divide into 12 equal portions.

To Make Kachori's

Make a small ball from the dough. Roll out into a 2 inch diameter circle. Or flatten the ball using your fingers having the center thick and sides little thin. Place about 1.5 tsp of the filling in the center of the rolled dough. Cover the filling with the dough by slowly stretching it over the filling. Seal the ends and remove excess dough. Repeat with all the balls and keep aside for 5 -7 mins.

Then using your palm, flatten the balls by lightly pressing it, as using the rolling pin will make the filling come out. Keep aside covered. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Meanwhile heat some oil for deep frying. The oil should not become smoking hot. Test to see if the temperature is right by dropping a tiny ball of dough and see if it is rising slowly to the top. Drop the kachoris in batches of 3-4 gently into the oil. It should rise up slowly. If you don't want to use lot of oil, use just enough for two or three at a time and fry them. After it rises up (about 2 minutes), turn it over.

Cook for about 6 to 10 minutes till the side down gets a golden brown color. Turn and cook the other side for another 6 minutes or till its golden brown in color. Remove when done, cool and store in airtight container.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Weekend is Here!!! My Fridge Says it, before the Calendar. yeah its almost empty, except for Milk and Yogurt. Had some Carrots and Beetroot waiting to attain its Pirantha Payan. So, Mixed them all together to get this Mixed Veggie Halwa, Tasted Good. My Veggies got used and Weekend Treat is also Ready :))))) And you can call it Healthy too!!!!!

Method
In a Microwave Safe Bowl Mix the veggies and Ghee and Microwave High for 8 mins, Stir in between. Add Milk and Microwave High for 8-10 mins or until the milk dries up a bit. Add sugar and Stir and Microwave High for 5 mins. Add Cinnamon, cardamom and MW high for 5 mins. Garnish with nuts and MW high for 3 mins.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Obesity - I m struck with this may be from my college days!!! its 10 long years!!! Lots of Yo-Yo Dieting, Lil Weight-Loss, Lots of Weight Gain.The feeling will be horrible when u go shopping for a new dress. I jus love to dress in jeans and t-shirts, but u dont fine ur taste in BIG SIZES. i feel so bad, so ugly, so ............... everything bad about myself. I used to feel very low about myself, then again gain some confidence and start on my diet and exercise again.

The Point of Seriousness came last year when i started to get Medical Problems bcoz of my Weight.

Now i have started to take my diet(No Fasting or Feasting!!!!!!) and exercise seriously. Reading Srivalli's Post Gave me some more Strength and Motivation to Go On and see some Good results.

It takes some time to see results, that should not shake our confidence. Coz, it happens to me always when i stand on the weighing machine and if i dont c the change i immdly go off!!!, But that shouldnt happen. Just Follow your Diet and Exercise Religiously!!!! You will sure see Success.

So Starting from today i m joining Srivalli on The Diet Plan. Will Keep Posting My Updates. Thanks Srivalli for the Inspiration!!!!

Wishing Myself and All others on the journey to a Healthier Lifestyle A Best of Luck.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Life is too hectic on a Working Day, that too if you need to pack 3 lunchboxes(including Breakfast!!!!!!!!!!) :)))). I need to pack for my Hubby, Brother and My Little Boss. Preparing Lunchbox Menu is a tough task. Quick Recipes comes handy in these times.

Minty Peas Rice is a Quick Recipe. It takes hardly 15-20 minutes to make it.

Wash the Mint Leaves, Grind Mint leaves and Green Chillies to a fine paste. Heat oil in a Kadai, Splutter Mustard/Cumin seeds, Add Ginger-Garlic Paste, Add Mint Paste and saute for 3 minutes or until the rawness of mint disappears. Add Peas and salt and cook in a low flame for 5 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add lil water. Take it off the flame.

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Let it cool for a nminute or two. Mix with cooked rice and serve/Pack. Vanishes just like that when combined with Potato Chips/Fry

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Hey ya!!!! Long time No Blogging!!!! It was a Hectic Month, Busy Sight-cing, Cooking, showing off my Culinary Skills to In-laws. :) My In-laws Left for india last week. So Back to Blogging.

Oats Aadai, healthy, low-cal snack, u can have it as a breakfast or as an evening snack. You can Prepare the dough early and refrigerate it. Tastes good with Simple Tomato Sauce.

Ingredients

Oats - 1 cup

Fried Gram Dal - 1/4 cup

Peanuts - 1/4 cup

Raw Rice -1/2 cup

Red Chillies - 4 nos

Medium Sized Onion - 1, Finely Chopped

Green Chillie - 2 nos, finely Chopped

Ginger - 1 small piece, Shredded

Hing - a pinch

Curry leaves - 2 sprigs

Salt to taste

Method

Grind Oats, Fried Gram Dal, Peanuts, Rice and Red Chillies to Rava Consistency in a Mixie. In A Big Bowl Mix Onions, Green Chillies, Cury leaves, Hing and the Grinded Ingredients, Add Enough Water and salt, make a Dough. The Dough shouldnt be soft or too tight. Let it rest for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into small lemon-size balls.

Heat a Non-Stick Pan, take a ball, u can press it directly on the tava or else flatten it on a plastic paper and transfer it to the tava. Cook both the sides in a low flame.

Need some patience, as it takes some time to cook. :) Serve Hot with Tomato Ketchup.